Talks on Trident’s fate ‘should start before referendum’

THE Scottish Government has called for talks on removing Trident from Scotland ahead of the independence referendum next year.

The demand has come in a response to the Scottish affairs select committee report on the future of Trident, which said that the nuclear deterrent could be removed from Faslane within days of a decision to do so.

SNP Deputy First Minister Nicola Sturgeon, who sent the response, said the Scottish Government was committed to the “earliest safe withdrawal” possible.

She said: “The Scottish Government would welcome discussions on these and other areas affected by independence.

“However, the UK ministers have made it clear that they will not discuss Trident prior to the outcome of the referendum.”

The response was published by the committee ahead of a debate in Westminster Hall on the future of Trident in Scotland.